[peanut254]

Hi everyone,

My wife has a 8330 and likes it and since I am in the military I travel quite a bit and I am looking to get a Blackberry to travel with and I am wondering is it better to get a Tour or World or I can I just use WiFi hotspots to call back home? We use very little minutes and more text than anything since I am in meetings or classes a lot and wonder if I get a Blackberry and get rid of text on our plan to lessen the cost is BBM good to use or is there another type text app for Blackberry's? Also is there a way to upgrade my wifes 8330 to be able to do WiFi? I am thinking no but thought I would throw it out there. Thanks for any advice!

[jsconyers]

No, you cannot get WiFi on the 8330, Tour, or 8830 World Edition. The Storm 2, and the 9650 (soon to be released) have Wifi.

BBM will be sufficient and cost effective over SMS.

[peanut254]

Could I get a Curve2 with WiFi and use that instead of getting a World Edition or Tour? Trying to find the most cost effective way to keep in touch with my family.

[djm2]

As I understand it, you will still need the data plan implemented in order to use some of the other services over wifi.

[Dubdub]

Verizon will not sell you a BB without a BB data plan, a $30 add-on per month. Even if you drop the plan after activation, they do periodic ESN/IMEI scans and add data plans if the device requires it.

You will need that anyway to use WiFi, BBM, email, BBMaps, GoogleMaps, Facebook, the BB browser and any other BB related services, since you must have the proper service books

[peanut254]

Yes, I figured I was going to have to get the data plan that is fine. Really without text and low minute usage our bill is only going to be around $130 a month. I am just wondering if it would be better to us Verizon network while travleing or get a WiFi capable phone and use hotspots to be able to call back to my wife around the world.

[Dubdub]

Do you mean using SKYPE to call? I am not sure how many mobile devices are SKYPE or VoIP capable. That could be a problem.

One alternative would be to buy a GSM phone, unlock it and use local SIMS from the places you travel.

[MidnightDraven]

Reading a thread here, Verizon's Skype availability, will only work in the US, not abroad.

[peanut254]

Verizon Wireless 3G smartphone users with data plans can use Skype mobile to:

make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype user around the globe on Americaxxx8217;s most reliable wireless network

call international phone numbers at competitive Skype Out calling rates

send and receive instant messages to other Skype users

remain always connected with the ability to see friendsxxx8217; online presence

since I am new I can't post the link to this site but it is from androidandme.

so is this site incorrect? or can you make calls abroad using your Verizon minutes? Really confused now. I also saw on another site that says no you can't make VoIP calls outside the US.

[MidnightDraven]

YOU can call abroad while in the USA.
But you can't CALL the USA FROM abroad

[peanut254]

not even skype mobile to skype mobile? my wife has skype on her blackberry and if I get phone with skype this will not work? I will still need to get a international phone?

[MidnightDraven]

Having an international phone on Verizon won't make a difference to the Skype app's abilities.
And there are only a handleful of other VoIP apps, most using your minutes also, that may work.

[peanut254]

Yes, correct just wanting to find the cheapest way to call back to the states either using WiFi and an App or by using an international cell phone and from other friends that have used their cell phones in other countries through Verizon have paid a lot to do so. That is why I am trying to stay away from the international phones and just use WiFi hotspots while out. Any suggestions on how to accomplish this?

[djm2]

Then I would suggest getting an international data plan while traveling so that you can email, text, etc. on the Tour or the 8830, and getting a local SIM card that you use for calls. Then have your spouse get a calling card with the discounted international rates so that $20 buys a huge amount of minutes, and have her call your UK, or France, or whereever phone number.

- Many people would simply carry a cheap international phone from the country they are in to avoid the headache of swapping SIM cards in the BB.

- Otherwise, consider a netbook equipped with Skype and use that model for the wi-fi spots.

For myself, I just pay the freight because I need to have clients get in touch with me.

[peanut254]

I have have thought about doing the cheap cell from the country I go to since I have an travelers SIM card but didn't know I could keep or just get an international data plan. I may just end up getting the Tour and switchout the SIM like you said. I will be traveling to Japan, Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan and think I should be good except for in Afghanistan since the lack of service at all there. Thanks.

[djm2]

Roshan

[Motorcycle Mama]

Originally Posted by peanut254

not even skype mobile to skype mobile? my wife has skype on her blackberry and if I get phone with skype this will not work? I will still need to get a international phone?

The Skype BlackBerry app ONLY works while in the US and on the Verizon network.

And even in the US, international calling uses Skype credits. It still costs money.